Random thoughts and observations
When I was a kid in the 1970s, the Victorian Football League comprised 12 Victorian teams.
They all had their own home grounds except Richmond, which shared the MCG with Melbourne and Hawthorn, which shared Princes Park with Carlton.
My team, Fitzroy, used St Kilda’s old ground at the Junction Oval.
The first grand final I can remember taking an interest in, aged 8, was North Melbourne’s win against Hawthorn in 1975. It was North’s first premiership and I listened on the radio, as matches weren’t live on TV until 1977. In fact, I recall visiting the boy next door and listening to it with him [...]
I cringe whenever I agree with former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett. I’m old enough to remember when Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister. I never agreed with him much at the time and that hasn’t changed. I think of Fraser as Mugabe’s mate. Jeff Kennett tore the guts out of country Victoria. His forced amalgamation of councils ripped the heart and soul from many towns. Funnily enough, as Hawthorn Football Club president he sometimes makes sense.
West Adelaide has announced the signing of former Carlton forward Brad Fisher to play in 2011. Fisher is a 192cm mobile, strong-marking forward who has spent the past eight seasons with Carlton in the AFL, playing a total of 99 games and kicking 127 goals. The 26-year-old from East Burwood underwent knee surgery after the 2009 season. He was drafted at pick 72 in 2002. Fisher plays both in the forward line and at half-forward. He is recognised as an excellent and safe one-grab overhead mark, perhaps the best at the club, and regularly takes strong contested marks.
Footballer Steven Stretch is generally regarded as a distinguished South Australian (West Torrens) player who made his mark in the AFL with Melbourne. I remember him as the most consistent player for Fitzroy in 1995-96. He was a reliable defender who floated across half-back and initiated many attacking moves. I thought he was the best of the club’s recruits. Steven’s son Billy, 14, is in line to be considered as a “father-son” selection for Melbourne if he makes the grade. According to Wikipedia:
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